Contracting - How to begin?

[vt220]

Hi all,

This is probably a common question,but searched the forum with no luck...

Been thinking a while to start contracting, but unsure of how to get into it... I'm currently working full time as a Computing Officer in Edinburgh, but the job variation and the money in contracting looks appealing. Thing is, I've got a 4 week notice period, and most (if not all) the contract jobs I've seen requires an immediate start. Is it sensible to take the plunge and hand in my notice, hoping something will come up? Is it a bit extra risky now that Christmas is coming up?

Also, agencies... Who's good, who's not?

Should also mention I've got about 4-5 years experience in IT, specialising in Windows servers/desktops, VMWare ESX 3 and networking.

Cheers,
vt

[r0bly0ns]

Personal experience tells me that taking the plunge is the way to go, it's what I had to do as no one was interested in putting me forward for an interview once they heard I had a 4 week notice period.
However there are a few on here who have managed to get a contract before quiting the permie life.

However your skills seem pretty vauge to me (had a few shandies though ), you may benefit from some qualifications as there are plenty of people out there who have the same skills.

You and I both know that qualifications don't actually mean that much in the real world if you have experience, unfortunately though, if an agent has 5 CV's and the client only want's to see 3, they will put forward ones with qualifications first...
Unless you have some niche skills that are in demand.

[TheFaQQer]

Thing is, I've got a 4 week notice period, and most (if not all) the contract jobs I've seen requires an immediate start. Is it sensible to take the plunge and hand in my notice, hoping something will come up? Is it a bit extra risky now that Christmas is coming up?

No, it's not sensible.

Get a contract (tell them you have a two week start), and negotiate it down. Worst case scenario is that you leave the current job without giving them the full notice - what's the worst they can do?

Most sensible employers will be OK about letting you go, rather than keeping a disgruntled employee there against their will.

[monkeyBoy32]

I recently took the plunge - didn't have a contract sorted at all when I finished my permie job - thought I'd get something sorted before I finished but I didn't. I got a bit scared on the Monday as I didn't have a job and didn't know how long I'd have to wait.

But - it took 2 days to get my first contract - started the following monday meaning I had a few days off where I could relax becasue I knew I had a contract to go to.

Also - sorting out stuff like accountants and business accounts actually took a while to do so I really needed those few days to get myself set up.

I wasn't actually gettign that many calls until I put my cv on monster - I think I had 16 calls by lunch time the following day. I still get about 10 calls a day from agencies...

As long as you think you've seen anough contracts out there that your skills match, I say go for it..

[shoes]

Thing is, I've got a 4 week notice period, and most (if not all) the contract jobs I've seen requires an immediate start. Is it sensible to take the plunge and hand in my notice, hoping something will come up?

The most correct answer to this I think is 'it depends'. What you could do to test the water is start applying to contracts as though you are immediately available. Lie a bit. See how much interest you get. You can better judge from this how likely it is you will be able to secure a role quickly. A more niche skillset will probably mean it takes you longer to secure a role but the end client is more likely to wait for when you're available. It depends on the current market for your skillset.

Personally I would not resign until I had a contract signed. I've not had a problem with clients having to wait a couple of weeks for me before. I've also found that those who claim that a quick start is very important for them are those who have no work for me for the first few weeks. It actually makes little practical difference to the role if you can start tommorrow or in a month in my experience. Those that needed you yesterday have poor planning skills. These suddenly do not improve when you arrive on the site.

[nucastle]

I'd say get a company registered, and a business bank account sorted asap - the company registration was quick enough, but dicking about getting the bank account up and running took more than a month (natwest business direct banking .... terrible to set up, but absolutely brilliant once its done)

Dont worry about notice periods - no company is going to waste its time chasing you over 1-2 weeks lost labour, although you might want to keep some holiday in reserve so you can use that as well.

In the meantime, apply for contracts, and when the agencies call asking you about your situation - tell them your current contract is up for renewal about 2-3 weeks from now so you are looking for new contracts. If they ask, just say the current job is a contract or something.

Rate wise, i'd say its worth pitching yourself 10-20% under market rate to get a bite - be sure you know what your worth though for your area of expertise AND your location. For instance, .NET might be worth 350-450 a day in london, but your looking at 300-400 outside london, and even less than that the further afield you go. But when an agent calls at least you can give them a good answer when they ask the inevitable question about what rate you are looking for.

[thunderlizard]

Wait until the new year. People generally don't want to kick off new projects etc. before Christmas. Use that time to save up some money so that you can take the plunge without getting into too much trouble should it take a couple more weeks to find your first customer.

[nucastle]

I wouldnt worry about the notice period thing unless the place your at has a track record for making it difficult for people when they leave.

I left my permie job at EDS and gave them 10 days notice - my line manager said they wouldnt do anything about it since it just wasnt worth their while.

Personally i wouldnt leave a job on the assumption you'd find a contract quickly enough .... keep working your job as normal and wait till the right gig comes along.

[s2budd]

Contracting

Think very carefully before making the jump.
Scotland is not the best area in which to be based.
You maybe looking at long periods away from home which will cost in the region of 1k per month in extra costs.
The best area is London due to the number of contracts.
However this is a general rule and of course depends on your skillset.

You need to look at your current skillset and then look at your market within travel distance.

Having said that though I'm glad that i'm not permie.

[swamp]

The best way to start contracting is to hand in your notice. If you can't do this you shouldn't be a contractor, IMO.

That said your situation doesn't inspire much confidence: the market has slowed a bit of late, it's nearly Christmas, you live in Scotland, and you are doing support work. (See other threads on discussion of why IT Support contracting is going down the pan.)